Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox 2 for tuning, the Charge Essential for the power bank. The Stormbox 2 sounds a little better than the Stormbox 1 with less of a rolled-off treble, but its side-mounted drivers mean a rolled-off treble when you listen face on. The Charge Essential doubles as a power bank yet has less clarity than a Flip 4 with rolled-off highs.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $3.99 saving on the Tribit Stormbox 2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Tribit Stormbox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $70 |
| Ranked | #89 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #102 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.3 lbs (593 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.7” (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 34W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC |
| Stereo | No | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 200ms |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Tribit Stormbox 2: $70 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Tribit Stormbox (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5).
Pros: A little better sounding than the Stormbox 1, less of a rolled off treble. Keep Xbass on for best frequency response.
Cons: Drivers on the side, so it will have a rolled off treble listening to it face on.
Full Tribit Stormbox 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 34W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 200ms |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.7” (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (593 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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